Simply Hired UK Blog

How to Stay Focused in the Workplace

If you are currently in employment, then you are probably aware of the perils of becoming distracted while at work. We all have days where our focus is diminished due to fatigue or home scenarios, and this can then be exacerbated by other distractions as we attempt to complete our workloads. It’s impossible to remove outside stresses and annoyances from our everyday existence, so the question that remains is how do we counteract them to remain as productive as we possibly can be at work?

Create a Distraction Free Environment

While the ultimate aim must be to create a viable schedule of work, you must first create a working environment entirely free of distractions. This includes removing and resolving anything within your control that may inhibit productivity, so that all that is left to demand your attention is the tasks in hand.

Consider devoting an hour or two each day to working without disruption, with a good start being to switch off any mobile devices. This will prevent anything from tearing you away from your workload. If possible, create some time to work either off site or at home, as this removes the distractions posed by eager colleagues and over eager customers alike. If this is not possible, consider attending the office earlier or occasionally on the weekend, so that you can commit to some serious work before the phones begin to ring and your colleagues arrive. 

Set Yourself a Schedule of Work

Now this is all well and good, but what if the work itself is posing problems? By this I mean the order in which tasks need to be completed, if this is undecided it can leave you a little muddled in your approach. Do not be afraid to communicate with your colleagues to set your schedule, by enquiring as to the deadline for each and every task in your possession. By approaching the task owner and getting a clear deadline for completion, you will develop a wonderful overview of your potential schedule.

Ensure that you complete this work at the most convenient time in your working day, whether it is first thing in the morning where the office is quieter or towards the close of the day as more and more of colleagues leave. Assess the time of day when you are most productive, and use this period to complete your urgent tasks.

Finally, consider whether the task in hand is one that a colleague or employee could assist with, and if so then use their skills to complete the project in a more time effective manner. Whether this is through delegation or collaboration, it can help you to complete some of your easier tasks quickly and prevent them from diverting your focus from more important challenges.

The Voluntary Sector

With all the talk of public sector cuts and private sector stagnation, it’s easy to forget that the individuals who work within these markets make up only two thirds of the nations labour force. The voluntary sector, an often forgotten and underestimated feature of the UK employment market, is actually becoming increasingly influential in reducing unemployment and growing far quicker than both the public and private sectors. Having increased its employees by nearly 40% in the last decade, it is now actively providing a flexible and satisfying working option for many UK citizens.

Why Are Job Seekers Choosing the Voluntary Sector?

Before you consider the growth of the voluntary sector, forget everything that you think you know about it, as it is an entity shrouded in myths and misconceptions. As of the third quarter of 2011, the voluntary sector now makes up more than 2.7% of the UK’s workforce. This has risen steadily and significantly from barely 2% in 2001.

There is a greater deal of flexibility involved in roles connected to the voluntary sector, with a large portion of opportunities classified as either part-time or job share vacancies. This has always appealed to specific bands of job seekers, especially those with children or who care for others.

Contrary to idle rumour, work in the voluntary sector is not necessarily unpaid. While it is true that voluntary sector employees earn an average of £55 and £70 less than those in the public and private sectors respectively, it often remains financially rewarding as well as providing a high level of job satisfaction.

The Future for the Voluntary Sector

The voluntary sector shows no signs of stagnating, and in fact looks set to grow further in the next decade. With subtle changes in the UK economy and moves towards more flexible and independent modes of working, it could attract even job seekers who wish to take greater control of their destiny.

It’s only logical that work in the voluntary sector would become more sought after in times of recession, especially as those out of work look to gain a foothold in the world of employment. With more testing and unpredictable financial times ahead, the voluntary sector is likely to become a safe haven for even more individuals.

With online resources improving and brands implementing a clear drive to outsource all non-strategic tasks, part-time freelancing is empowering many unemployed individuals to create their own niche. Voluntary work can provide an adequate support to this mode of working, and help create flexible working hours for UK employees.

As the hybrid business model continues to thrive and allow non-profit organisations to adopt for-profit practices, voluntary ventures are showing higher volumes of revenue than ever before. In theory, this will allow them to invest in securing the very finest in UK talent for their organisation, and succeed in making the voluntary sector even more desirable amongst job seekers.

Staying Productive While In-between Employment Roles

While there is little doubt that job searching can be stressful, it is rarely the process itself that proves to be the most significant issue. Being unable to earn and contribute financially to the household or society is what troubles most job seekers, and this can evoke feelings of anxiety that can distract you from your hunt for employment and ultimate career aims. So how can you learn to cope with this, and what practical steps can be taken to secure part-time revenue while seeking full-time employment?

Staying Focused in Times of Economic Hardship

With the UK recording its highest unemployment figures for 17 years this quarter, it is little wonder that job seekers find themselves gripped with panic and anxiety. However, it is important to stay focused when seeking out work in a competitive market, so consider the following:

• You have no control over the state of the economy or the course that a recession may take, and focusing on these issues only distracts you from your employment goals. Concentrate solely on what you want to achieve and what you are going to do in order to achieve it.

• Try to follow genuine news trends and developments rather than dramatised propaganda, and remember that even the worst of recessions will see certain organisations and market sectors succeed. By keeping in touch with breaking developments as they occur, you can make the most of any potential employment opportunities that may come your way.

• Bear in mind how changeable the job market is, and how it is continually evolving to create new and exciting opportunities. With the UK government currently backing new business start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs, new jobs and career openings are always being developed.

Earning Revenue While Out of Work 

Now while these tips may help you to focus your energy and keep a level head while job searching, there is still the issue of staying afloat financially during periods of unemployment. It is important to be flexible in your approach to creating revenue streams while seeking your next job.

It’s easy for job seekers to avoid short-term or temporary job placements during a recession, especially if you are trying to secure a more suitable permanent role. Temporary work can provide steady income to job seekers, however, and is also commonplace during a recession as organisations look to grow without investing huge amounts in long term salary expenses.

Similarly, outsourcing work has become invaluable to small businesses in the recession, as it reduces office costs and allows companies to hire staff only when required. Consider your skills and whether they are marketable or not, and look for opportunities to freelance while you look for employment.

Can you share any tips on how to cope or prosper financially during periods of unemployment? Whatever your experience, we would love to hear your thoughts.

Inclusive Management – What it is and Why it Matters

While new business and management terms seem to appear with the regularity of sunrise, not all are to be dismissed as meaningless. For example, 'inclusive management' is a term very much in vogue at the moment, most notably because a recent survey found that more than 84% of UK employees found it to be significant in improving their performance within the workplace. So what exactly is inclusive management, and why is it so influential amongst the modern day employee and job candidate?

What is Inclusive Management?

In purely definitive terms, inclusive management is a style and practice of leadership where staff members, industry experts, consumers and members of the public contribute fully towards resolving issues and helping an organisation to grow. While this provides a succinct summary of inclusive management as a concept, how exactly does this translate into everyday life and work?

• An inclusive manager will consult their staff and public bodies on a regular basis, and is unlikely to make authoritarian decisions or courses of action without debate and discussion. They will take numerous opinions on board in the course of their job, and actively seek these opinions from less proactive individuals.

• This type of management technique is associated largely with the public sector, however recent surveys and case studies are suggesting that it must become more prominent within the private sector also. This may help to improve the motivation of staff and consumers alike, and help to feel like they are contributing to an organisations success rather than simply acting as another cog in the wheel. 

• Inclusive management generally leads to a more open style of business operation and communication, with much more transparency in terms of a company’s code of conduct, recruitment strategies and its interaction with staff. Similarly, staff members are often afforded far more opportunities to improve themselves and their place within the organisation.

Why the Call for Inclusive Management Now?

While this type of management practice is clearly beneficial to employees and an organisation’s reputation, the question that remains is why has there been a sudden call for more UK firms to implement this into their businesses?

• The increasing pace of technological advancement (think of the period between 2005 and 2010 in particular) has made concepts such as crowd sourcing extremely popular amongst modern businesses and consumers. As every employee is also a customer at some time or another, they are used to participating in commercial growth and having their opinions recognised. 

• Socially, the world is a much more liberal place than it was even 20 years ago, where management was often authoritarian and staff were expected to simply complete their work and follow strict orders. Individuals today are far more informed and aware of their improved employee rights, and therefore increasingly respondent to empowering and inclusive management techniques.

• UK citizens have far more online tools at their disposal to boost their personal income, whether through freelancing or using their sales skills through sites like eBay. This independence has changed the employee’s mind set, and now is the time for organisations to recognise this and encourage collaboration between managers and staff.

Do you have an inclusive management style at work, and do you prefer this to others?

Changing Jobs? How to Write your Resignation Letter

Leaving a job is never an easy task. Writing your resignation letter can stir many emotions, especially if you are leaving an organisation that you have represented for many years, and it can be a challenge to reflect these feelings in a concise and professional manner. So, exactly what goes in to delivering the perfect resignation letter, and how do you ensure that you part with your employers on positive terms?

What is the Purpose of a Resignation Letter?

As a formal document, a resignation letter officially announces your intent to leave an organisation after an agreed notice period. It is usually the culmination of initial discussions between yourself and your employer, and is crucial in ensuring a swift and amicable separation before you begin your new job role. 

A resignation letter is a must whenever you leave a job or position of employment, and is a simple act of courtesy towards your employer. It is a gesture that is both professional and polite, and reflective of how you would like to be treated if an organisation chose to terminate your contract.

A resignation letter can also help to maintain good relations with your employers, and ensure that that you will receive positive references and letters of recommendation in the future. The world of employment is extremely variable, and it’s always wise to maintain as many contacts as possible.

Resignation letters are also useful legal documents, and offer clarity and protection to yourself and an employer alike. It may be filed for as a reference for any disputes over salary to be paid or an agreed notice period, and also established an official leaving date in writing for both parties. 

How to Write the Ideal Resignation Letter

While you may write a different style of letter depending on the nature of the job that you are leaving, there are certain fundamental details that should always be included. These will form the foundation of any resignation letter, and ensure that it provides the employer with as much information as they possibly need.

Remember to include every item of crucial information in your letter of resignation, and you can ensure this by making a brief list of these points before you begin writing. These must include your official leaving date, period of notice and any holiday that you deem to be outstanding.

It is also important to keep your letter of resignation as brief and succinct as possible, as this makes the purpose of each sentence stand out and clarifies your position clearly. Be sure to write your letter in formal English, delivering a document that is extremely professional and clinical.

Finally, it may be good practice to include a more informal thank you note with your letter, as this provides a necessary personal touch and displays a warm appreciation for your employer. This can help maintain future relationships, as well as advancing your reputation in your field of expertise. 

Share your own advice in the comments below.